Chapter 2473 - 473: Grabbing the Chain (First Update)

Ye Qing and several Water Grass Giants faced off at the bottom of the water, and naturally, the situation was extremely unfavorable for Ye Qing because he was soaked in the water the whole time, unable to surface for a breath. The embryonic breathing capability allowed him to persist for half an hour, but once that time was up, he would be doomed.

The Water Grass Giants also seemed to notice this, so they continued to stay underwater facing Ye Qing. Water grass spread around, but did not attack Ye Qing, merely trapping him at this position underwater, making it impossible for him to escape. The Water Grass Giants occupied the surrounding positions, showing no intention of offensive, clearly stalling time, waiting for Ye Qing's internal oxygen to deplete.

After almost suffocating outside earlier, Ye Qing was acutely aware of the feeling of oxygen deprivation, and he did not want to try that again. Therefore, blocked by these Water Grass Giants underwater, Ye Qing did not dare delay at all, his mind racing to find a way out of this predicament. However, facing these powerful Water Grass Giants, it was not easy for Ye Qing to escape. Any slight movement or flaw would definitely be taken advantage of by these Water Grass Giants.

If he got entangled by these Water Grass Giants again, Ye Qing would end up like he did outside earlier, not even having a chance to struggle, and would completely die here.

Moreover, these Water Grass Giants were not ordinary Water Monsters. The expanse of their water grass was too broad, making Ye Qing's escape from their encirclement while in the water virtually impossible. Ye Qing thought of several methods but ultimately abandoned them all, as he had no confidence in breaking through their encirclement. This plunged Ye Qing's heart deep into despair; was he really to be stuck here this time?

Just as both sides were locked in a standoff, the incoming water flow outside had already started to diminish, suggesting the rapid underwater currents should be ceasing. Meanwhile, the flow in the Underground River was slowly restoring peace, but Ye Qing's heart could not remain tranquil amidst such a situation. He was utterly unable to extricate himself.

The Water Grass Giants hovered around Ye Qing continuously, water grass covering all sides, yet they did not use the water grass to probe, merely surrounding, determined not to let Ye Qing leave the water's surface. These Water Grass Giants were wise, discerning Ye Qing's inability to survive long underwater.

Ye Qing frowned, his gaze sweeping over the Water Grass Giants, yet unable to find a way out. Nearly ten minutes had passed in this underwater standoff, and if it continued, his life would truly conclude here. No, he must choose a method and leave this place quickly. But what method should he choose?

While Ye Qing was worried, his gaze suddenly fell upon the Mysterious Iron Chains at the bottom end of the Underground River. After the water flow calmed down, the chains became motionless once more, lying on the riverbed like any ordinary chain, seemingly lacking any special attributes.

Ye Qing did not know whether this chain had any special attributes, but the situation in front of the secret chamber where Patriarch Bodhidharma passed away, within the Underground River, was strikingly similar to here. Same Underground River, same Mysterious Iron Chains, same Immovable Bodhisattva Seal, same underwater cave—could these chains be binding an Eternal Demon as well?

At this thought, Ye Qing was suddenly moved. Last time, in the Underground River before the secret chamber where Patriarch Bodhidharma passed away, during his battle with the great dragon crocodile, the chains suddenly sprang into action, dragging that fierce dragon crocodile into the cave, saving Ye Qing's life. So, could this Underground River's chains do the same?

Ye Qing did not know if the chains could help him, but he had no other choice now. Watching the Water Grass Giants surrounded him with no intention of letting him go, Ye Qing stopped hesitating, flipped his body, and dove directly to the riverbed, heading straight for the chains.

Originally, there were several Water Grass Giants at the riverbed, but to block Ye Qing, they all swam to his sides. Only the leading Water Grass Giant remained below, nevertheless cautious of Ye Qing. Seeing Ye Qing come down, it did not obstruct him, instead moved aside to avoid him. Anyway, Ye Qing was heading downward, not upward, and thus there was no need to stop him.

Of course, as Ye Qing dived to the riverbed, the Water Grass Giants followed him down slightly, still remaining distant yet blocking him. Their stance clearly aimed to keep Ye Qing underwater without any intention of engaging in a direct struggle.

The reluctance of the Water Grass Giants to fight Ye Qing directly ironically became convenient for Ye Qing. He rushed to the chains, seeing the Water Grass Giants blocking him all around, he did not hesitate to grab the chains and shook them vigorously.

If these chains were, like those outside Patriarch Bodhidharma's secret chamber, binding an Eternal Demon, then shaking them might just rouse this demon.

Yet in truth, despite Ye Qing shaking vigorously, the chains remained unmoving, as if nothing was bound at their other end. This realization cooled Ye Qing's heart; if the situation here differed from outside Patriarch Bodhidharma's secret chamber, then he would be faced with imminent disaster, perhaps suffocating here.

The Water Grass Giants surrounded Ye Qing, curious about his shaking of the chains, seemingly not understanding what he was doing. Nonetheless, as Ye Qing hadn't surfaced, they chose not to intervene, merely watching Ye Qing tirelessly.

Ye Qing tried several more times, but the chains still showed no response, further chilling his heart. This exhaustive effort accelerated the depletion of his oxygen, likely leaving him little time.

What now? Was he to truly sit and await death here?

Ye Qing gripped the Scabbard of the Ancestor of Miao Dao, contemplating several times the idea of rushing up to fight the Water Grass Giants head-on. But he knew the chances of surviving were negligible, given their numbers and the profusion of water grass. A mere strand of water grass ensnaring his limbs would spell doom.

The Water Grass Giants seemed aware of Ye Qing's predicament, swimming around him slowly, their faces bearing mocking expressions. These beings, incomprehensible as either Water Monsters or human, possessed human-like consciousness capable of mockery. Treating Ye Qing entirely as prey on a chopping block, seemingly ready to butcher him at will.

Ye Qing's expression turned gravely cold, his chest now beginning to feel oppressed. At this rate, certain death was inevitable. What to do? What next?

Various thoughts flashed in his mind, yet every method proved useless. Thinking back and forth, Ye Qing's gaze returned to the chains once more. Now devoid of any alternative, his only hope rested upon these chains. Ye Qing did not know what lay behind, but with the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal keeping things in check, surely the contents were extraordinary?

Thus resolved, Ye Qing did not ponder further, grasped the chains firmly, hands crossed, pulling heavily on them and following their direction forward.

Ye Qing's direction coincidently matched the water flow. Plus, holding and pulling the chains rendered him faster than swimming, quickly propelling him far ahead.

The Water Grass Giants, initially mocking, were startled by Ye Qing's sudden advance, momentarily frozen. Their leader let out an angry roar underwater, waving its arms, urging the Giants to chase Ye Qing.

Without missing a beat upon seeing the situation, Ye Qing accelerated onwards. Although speedy in water, the Water Grass Giants swam, while Ye Qing pulled on the chains through the current, not much slower, leaving the Giants unable to catch him momentarily.

Surging forward continuously, Ye Qing soon saw the distant cave within the Underground River ahead. Previously, the Immovable Bodhisattva Seal sat atop this cave, but Ye Qing had moved it, leaving only the hollow. The chains stretched directly into this cave, mirroring his encounter outside Patriarch Bodhidharma's secret chamber.

Of course, outside the secret chamber that saw three chains extending into the cave, while here, only one chain ventured, provoking Ye Qing's curiosity—was the power sealed here lesser than the Eternal Demon outside Patriarch Bodhidharma's secret chamber?

Though curious, Ye Qing had no time to contemplate other matters now. Arriving at the vicinity, he aimed directly for the cave entrance, intent on plunging into shelter. Retreating upward was impossible; the Water Grass Giants pursued closely, forcing him to escape inside for survival.

By then, the leading Water Grass Giant was near, spotting Ye Qing's attempt to dive into the cave, it roared once more, launching stems of water grass to ensnare Ye Qing.